Customer Reviews

CruiseMinder Journal...Vacation Planner & Diary

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Before my last vacation, I bought three different travel planner/journals to try out; one was computer based (and I did use it for some data organizing but found that printing it out wasn't as handy or as easy to pack as a notebook) and two were notebooks. One of the notebooks is still buried at the bottom of some pile of papers while the CruiseMinder Journal became my constant companion. It took all my planning notes before the trip and became my journal during the trip.

Since I wasn't up to designing my own travel journal, CruiseMinder had the features I thought that I would want and use: places for organizing trip basics like emergency info, reservation numbers, phone numbers; a planner/agenda section for organizing day-by-day activities; packing lists; an addressbook; a place to keep track of expenses; a large section of formated journal pages with plenty of room for my own day-by-day notes.

The CruiseMinder is simple and practical. There are no avant-garde cutsey quotes or distracting artwork. The typefaces are simple and legible. There are ruled lines everywhere I need to write. The paper is heavy enough that 1)you can write in pen on both sides of the pages and 2) it doesn't pull out of the plastic coil binding. The fact that it is spiral bound made it a lot easier to stuff notes and receipts between the pages as the trip went on.

I am very disorganized so the CruiseMinder was very helpful for me to keep all the necessary information in one place. In fact, I'm here today buying another CruiseMinder for my next trip.

You've just booked the cruise of a lifetime, and although it may be months in the future, you know you've got a lot of planning to do before your big trip. The CruiseMinder Journal was created with all your needs in mind.

Divided into four sections, this journal is designed to make sure you stay organized. The first part is the anticipation section, which includes information on packing, planning your agenda, a mini address book for postcards you'll send, and anything you'll need to do once you get home again. The next section is your daily diary, where you can record any activities you participated in, along with general thoughts about the day. The third section allows you to record information about the ship, the crew, expenses incurred, and any new friends you've made while on the cruise. And the reference section has helpful nautical terms and maps.

The journal pages are of high-quality paper, with a spiral binding and sturdy cover. An introductory section explains how to use this journal for maximum effectiveness. This pretty and useful little book will record the details of your cruise for a lifetime of memories.

Reviewer: Alice Berger, Bergers Book Reviews

The Journal is ok, but the calendars are out of date. Amazon found no error, and wants to charge me shipping to send it back.

This Cruise Planner was my bible in planning an 18-day transatlantic cruise. There were plenty of extra pages to list our tour information, things we wanted to see, and other important info. We were able to list our medical insurance & travel insurance information, itinerary and wardrobe planning, packing checklist, addresses for writing home as well as gift ideas for people and homecoming reminders (pick up the dog, pay bills, etc). While onboard the ship, I took notes about where we ate, what we did in port. This was great because after so many port stops you forget what the significance of things you took pictures of, the name of that great restaurant you want to recommend to friends, etc. There are also sections to list ship information (ship statistics, captain, crew members) and a "new friends address book." I was also able to log our purchases by category and date in the 4 page expense journal...

This book is so awesome - I highly recommend for your cruise vacationing, especially cruises of longer than 7 days or very port-intensive trips where you are doing a lot of private or on-your-own shore excursions. I will be buying a new journal for every cruise I take.